L.A. County Programs & Services

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Community Action Agencies

The CAA

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) were established under Title II of the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Los Angeles County CAA administers federal, state and locally funded grants to over 120 agencies for the provision of human services to low-income families and individuals.

The CAB

The Community Action Board (CAB) of Los Angeles County oversees the activities of the CAA. It makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the allocation of grant funds to private and governmental agencies. By federal law, the CAB’s membership is made-up of representatives of the poor, the private sector, and the public sector.

The Area We Serve

CAA funded agencies serve low income families resides throughout Los Angeles County, excluding the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and those in the Foothill Area, which have formed their own CAAs. Within the Los Angeles County CAA there are five service areas, one representing each of the county’s five supervisorial districts.

Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

The 95 agencies funded under the CSBG program provide services to low-income families based on the needs of their communities. Services may focus on education, emergency assistance, employment, health, housing, and linkages to other programs, nutrition, and additional activities that help the poor attain economic self-sufficiency.

Domestic Violence Shelters

Twenty-five shelters throughout the county provide emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and their children. These are funded by a surcharge on marriage license fees and the CSBG.

The Telecommunications Trust

Funded by Pacific Bell and GTE, these programs educate low-income consumers on telephone service options.

Utility Restructuring Education

In 1998, grants provided low-income consumers with energy efficiency services, rate reduction options, and consumer education. This program is funded by utility companies.

Dispute Resolution Program

A network of 13 agencies countrywide assists individuals in resolving disputes without involving the court system. Funding comes from court filing fees.

How to Participate

Every two-years, the CAA contracts with agencies to provide services that will meet identified needs within the five service areas. The process includes the following steps:

1. The CAB holds public hearings throughout the county to determine and prioritize the needs of each service delivery area.
2. Requests for Proposals are advertised and distributed, inviting interested service providers to submit proposals for programs that will meet the identified needs of their particular communities.
3. Agencies develop programs to address these identified needs, and prepare proposals for consideration by the CAB.
4. Proposals submitted by agencies are evaluated by the CAB on the basis of their appropriateness for community needs, program quality and cost effectiveness for community needs, program quality and cost effectiveness.
5. The CAB makes funding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
6. The Board of Supervisors approves the agencies to be funded.